A determination of the HDO/H2O ratio in comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp).
Deuterated water (HDO) was detected in comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) with the use of the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. The inferred D/H ratio in Hale-Bopp's water is (3.3 +/- 0.8) x 10(-4). This result is consistent with in situ measurements of comet P/Halley and the value found in C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake). This D/H ratio, higher than that in terrestrial water and more than 10 times the value for protosolar H2, implies that comets cannot be the only source for the oceans on Earth.
Meier
R
R
University of Hawaii, Institute for Astronomy, 2680 Woodlawn Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
Owen
T C
TC
Matthews
H E
HE
Jewitt
D C
DC
Bockelée-Morvan
D
D
Biver
N
N
Crovisier
J
J
Gautier
D
D
D017666:Deuterium Oxide / Q000032:analysis*; D007053:Ice; D019110:Meteoroids; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis*
D007053:Ice; D014867:Water; D017666:Deuterium Oxide